Ebook Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place Melvin McLeod 9780861712984 Books

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Download As PDF : Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place Melvin McLeod 9780861712984 Books

"I've studied politics my entire life. It's been because of my time working on this book that I've finally learned what's really important in politics." So says Melvin McLeod, editor of Mindful Politics, a book that transcends Right and Left, progressive and conservative, to get to the heart of what matters how we can all make a positive difference in our complex political world.

This is not your typical political book. It's not written at a fever pitch, it doesn't use a good/bad binary, and it doesn't tout partisan policies. Instead, this timely collection addresses the less-discussed but more important questions about politics What insight does religion have to offer politics? How can we as concerned citizens move beyond the particulars of legislation and party affiliation, and take direct action? How, amid divisive and challenging times, can personal growth and effective advocacy take place together?

In short, Mindful Politics offers the perspectives of 34 important authors and thinkers on how each of us, right now, can make the world a better place.

McLeod includes essays and insights from some of the brightest, and most controversial, lights of Buddhism - and beyond.

Included are

• Thich Nhat Hanh
• Sam Harris (author of The End of Faith)
• The Dalai Lama
• Jerry Brown
• Pema Chodron
• Trungpa Rinpoche
• bell hooks
• Ezra Bayda
• Meg Wheatley
• ...and many more

Ebook Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place Melvin McLeod 9780861712984 Books

"This book gives you a range of authors expressing their Buddhist ideals on a range of political subjects from violence (use of force), to economics and racism and feminism. Its limitation is that it tends to speak in terms of religious ideals of the Buddhist religion, instead of practical policies of government (e.g. taxation levels, laws, foreign policy) or economic choices (although it is mostly critical of capitalism). It does however offer a general perspective of Buddhism on the political process, and could be useful as class as a textbook, or to the individual reader curious about how Buddhists may face the political world. I would say it rates well in terms of expressing those ideals, but less well in terms of clear strategies and policies in the political and economic world."

Product details Paperback 320 pages Publisher Wisdom Publications; 1st US - 1st Printing edition (July 17, 2006) Language English ISBN-10 0861712986

Tags : Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place [Melvin McLeod] on . I've studied politics my entire life. It's been because of my time working on this book that I've finally learned what's really important in politics. So says Melvin McLeod,Melvin McLeod,Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place,Wisdom Publications,0861712986,Buddhist,Essays,Buddhism and politics,Buddhism and politics.,Buddhists - Political activity,Buddhists;Political activity.,Buddhism - General,Buddhist Philosophy,Buddhists,Cultural studies,Literary Collections / Essays,PHILOSOPHY / Buddhist,POLITICAL SCIENCE / Essays,POLITICAL SCIENCE / Peace,Political Science,Political Science (Specific Aspects),Political activity,Politics/International Relations,RELIGION / Religion, Politics State,Religion - Socialissues,Religion, Politics State,Religion/Buddhism - General (see also Philosophy - Buddhist)

Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place Melvin McLeod 9780861712984 Books Reviews :

Mindful Politics A Buddhist Guide to Making the World a Better Place Melvin McLeod 9780861712984 Books Reviews

• The last chapter, written by Sam Harris, is the most challenging to Buddhists. I don't remember him mentioning the violence in Sri Lanka, and I think the essay might have been written before violence in the name of Buddhism in Myanmar and Thailand. Without mentioning such specific instances, I think we should all acknowledge that Buddhism can have a dark side, like other religions. When I was younger I thought no wars were ever fought in the name of Buddhism, and was probably a bit smug about it. While there's some validity in this, unfortunately some Buddhists do practice violence and it is wrong to deny this. I think Buddhism is fairly unique in that it can be a life philosophy for atheists, and it is beneficial for a secular Buddhist to call out religious Buddhists on issues like fundamentalism. Others here have reviewed other parts of the book, and as a whole, so I'm not going to repeat these. Don't be surprised by the critical look at Buddhism at the end. It is good, if bitter, medicine to take.
• Lots of wisdom, and really cool to hear it from people like Jerry Borwn, former gov. of CA. Excellent stuff, but could have been shorter. A LOOOOT of redundant entries, and it doesn't quite live up to its claim of bringing Buddhist philosophy into concrete terms for the real world issues. It stays pretty philosophical. Also, good for them for including the against-the-grain Sam Harris piece.
  
  Not perfect but still important reading.
• Good
• Just wonderful.
• This book gives you a range of authors expressing their Buddhist ideals on a range of political subjects from violence (use of force), to economics and racism and feminism. Its limitation is that it tends to speak in terms of religious ideals of the Buddhist religion, instead of practical policies of government (e.g. taxation levels, laws, foreign policy) or economic choices (although it is mostly critical of capitalism). It does however offer a general perspective of Buddhism on the political process, and could be useful as class as a textbook, or to the individual reader curious about how Buddhists may face the political world. I would say it rates well in terms of expressing those ideals, but less well in terms of clear strategies and policies in the political and economic world.
• I'm not Buddhist, but I am very politically active, and that's why I decided to check out this book. 2006 looks to be a year of changes, probably because the powerful have become disconnected from reality, and a group of people who have questioned the "reality" and dared to think in new ways are pushing forward. The essays in this book encourage the reader to question assumptions... especially the assumption that Buddhists are above politics. The last, best essay by Sam Harris poses the most subversive question would getting rid of the religion of Buddhism make the world a better place?
• This book is excellent. My son ordered 3 Buddhist books at the same time for a term paper concerning war. This was far and away the best of the three. It is a collection of essays, some of which touch on war. The essays are well worth reading.